Tracking behavioral change in community health center dental patients using the Solomon 4-Group Design

Most dental patients in the Community Health Center (CHC) setting seek Emergency Care versus Preventive Care. This observation could result from the cost of care, or from lack of insurance/the inability to pay for services rendered(78.3% of study participants had no health insurance; 86.8% had no dental insurance). The goal of CHC dentists is to empower patients to adopt an attitude of Preventive (Comprehensive) Care versus Emergency (Episodic) Care. A study utilizing the Solomon 4-Group Design was conducted at the Park DuValle Community Health Center, Louisville, Kentucky to determine if this goal was met. METHODOLOGY: Sample Size = 200 (50 participants for each group) The Solomon 4-Group Study Design Group 1 (Pretest - Intervention - Posttest); Group 2 (Pretest - Posttest); Group 3 (Intervention - Posttest); Group 4 (Posttest). Questionaires captured participants' demographic information at the initial/emergency visits. Educational Intervention was given to Groups 1 and 3 at initial visits. The educational packets contained information stressing the importance of good dental health and how dental health can affect overall physical health. A subsequent appointment was made at the conclusion of the initial visit regardless of the patient's group assignment. Patients presenting for two subsequent appointments were considered to have successfully converted from a philosophy of Emergency Care to one of Preventive Care. Preliminary findings showed educational Intervention Groups (1, 3) had a slight improvement over Nonintervention Groups (2, 4).